HAILEY TWITCH AND THE CAMPGROUND ITCH

From the Hailey Twitch series

Age Range: 6 - 9

Hailey Twitch’s excitement turns sour when her teenage sister's demanding friend joins the family on a weekend getaway. Even the second grader’s not-so-imaginary sidekick Maybelle faces challenges at the family campground. Desperate to retain her magical abilities, the spunky sprite exerts her powers with unintended consequences. This series entry maintains a well-realized child-centered perspective through every humorous magical snafu. (Arcade games run amok, and the bossy friend’s hair turns green.) Hailey's realistic worries address her jealousy and self-doubt as she initially emulates her sibling’s behavior. When her sister takes part in a forbidden exploration, Hailey's thoughtful response demonstrates substantial growth. Hailey also reveals her growing maturity as she empathizes with her favorite classmate. “Now I know how Addie Jokobeck feels when she is trying to get me to listen to lots and lots of rules. It feels like a very big frustration.” The youngster's energetic voice rings true despite an overabundance of exclamation points. Wispy cartoon sketches depict outraged expressions and sheepish grins. A cliffhanger sets the stage for the next installment. This wholly satisfying trek embodies the a typical Hailey-ism: “very fun and funny.” (Fantasy. 6-9)